

A graphic, compelling and factual account of the life of John Joseph Curtin, one of Australia's greatest leaders. This documentary traces Curtin's life from his birth in 1885, through his 'hell fire' youth, his problem with alcohol, his early chequered political career, to the highest position in the nation. All the drama of Curtin's wartime leadership unfolds as he battles to save Australia from Japanese invasion. Narrated by Leo McKern.
Directed by John Boland, John Boland
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Released
April 30, 1985
1h 34m

Leo McKern
Narrator
Weston Bate
Himself (Historian & Author)
Anne Scott
Herself (Creswick Historian)
Len Williams
Himself (Mining Historian)
James McInerney
Himself (Creswick Historian)
Les Barnes
Himself (Brunswick Historian)
Lloyd Ross
Himself (Curtin Biographer)
F. Alexander
Himself (Australian Historian)

K. E. Beazley
Himself (Former M.H.R. Fremantle)
Harold White
Himself
Manning Clark
Himself (Historian & Author)
Norman Makin
Himself (Minister in Curtin’s Cabinet) (archive footage)
H.C. Coombs
Himself (Economist & Historian)
Tess Curtin
Herself
Norman D. Carlyon
Himself (A.D.C. to Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey)
Claude Curtin
Himself (Nephew of John Curtin)
Perce Mitchell
Himself (Football Historian)
Reginald Pollard
Himself (archive footage)
Alfred Kemsley
Himself

Bob Hawke
Himself